Search Results (2)

Biodegradable mulch films (BMFs) are becoming increasingly popular in agricultural practices. However, research on the ecological impact of biodegradable mulch films on pepper–soil systems is still scarce. To compare the differential effects of BMFs and polyethylene (PE) mulch on soil chemical properties, soil bacterial community composition, and pepper cultivation, a study was conducted encompassing eight distinct treatments. These treatments included three varieties of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) combined with polylactic acid (PLA) mulches: PP-JL, PP-SD, and PP-SH; a black polypropylene carbonate mulch (PPC-BK); a brown PPC mulch (PPC-BR); a polyethylene (PE) mulch; straw mulching (NCK); and an uncovered control (PCK). After applying mulches for 129 days, most PPC and PBAT + PLA films had reached the rupture phase, whereas the PE film was still in the induction phase. Pepper yield was obviously higher in all mulched treatments (4830 kg hm⁻¹) than in the un-mulched control (3290 kg hm⁻¹), especially the BMF PP-JL treatment, which showed the most notable improvements in yield. Although BMF treatments maintained a lower soil temperature than the PE film mulch, they were still higher than the un-mulched control. Furthermore, the soil bacterial community composition and ecological network were not markedly affected by different mulching conditions. However, the PP-SH treatment significantly increased the abundance of Pseudomonas, Nitrosomonas, and Streptomyces genera. Moreover, Lactobacillus and Gp16 were substantially more abundant in the PPC-black (BK) and PPC-brown (BR) treatments compared to the PE mulching treatment. This study could provide valuable insights into the ecological benefits of BMFs in pepper cultivation. However, as our experiments were conducted for only one season, it is imperative to undertake long-term experiments across consecutive seasons and years for a thorough understanding and comprehensive study. Full article

The farmland residual film pollution caused by traditional PE film has an adverse impact on crops and the environment. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) film is a fully biodegradable film that can alleviate “white pollution”. In this study, the soil physicochemical properties and the composition and function of the soil community of FM (PPC film mulching) and CK (no film) treatments were determined to explore the effect of PPC film mulching on soil and the soil microbial community. Furthermore, the microorganisms at different time periods during the degradation of PPC mulch film were also analyzed. The results showed that film mulching increased soil pH but decreased the contents of EC and SOC, and there was no significant difference in the contents of AP and AK. The relative abundance of the phyla Acidobacteria was increased with film mulching, and the relative abundance of the genera MB_A2_108 also increased in the film mulched soil. Among the soil physicochemical properties, pH and SOC were the most important factors leading to changes in the composition of the bacterial and fungal communities. PPC film mulching had no significant effect on soil microbial community abundance and diversity. In addition, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, and Rhizobacter were dominant in the degradation of PPC film. Our research results provide a scientific theoretical basis for soil safety and the large-scale use of PPC biodegradable mulching films and a research foundation for the degradation of PPC plastics. Full article